What Plasticard Thickness Should I Use for Model Making?

Choosing the right thickness of plasticard can be confusing, especially if you're new to scratch building or modifying scale models. With sheets ranging from very thin 0.25mm plasticard through to thicker 2mm sheets, it isn't always obvious which one you need.

The good news is that each thickness has its own uses. Here's our simple guide to help you choose the right plasticard for your project.

0.25mm Plasticard – Fine Details and Overlays

0.25mm plasticard is ideal when you need to add a small amount of surface detail without adding much thickness.

It's particularly useful for:

• Thin panels and plates
• Overlays
• Small raised details
• Strips and trim
• Scale model modifications
• Creating fine surface details

Because it's so thin, it can also be easier to cut with a modelling knife than thicker sheets.

If you're adding a panel or detail to an existing model and don't want it to look too heavy, 0.25mm is a good place to start.

0.5mm Plasticard – The Great All-Rounder

If you're unsure which thickness to buy, 0.5mm is probably the best all-round starting point.

It's thick enough to make useful structural parts while still being relatively easy to cut and work with.

Common uses include:

• Bulkheads
• Panels
• Doors and hatches
• Small walls
• Deck details
• Model modifications
• Scratch-built components

For many general modelling jobs, 0.5mm gives you a good balance between strength and ease of cutting.

0.75mm Plasticard – Stronger Panels and Structures

0.75mm plasticard gives you a little more strength while remaining manageable with normal modelling tools.

It's useful for:

• Larger panels
• Stronger bulkheads
• Structural components
• Small buildings
• Vehicle bodies
• Ship and aircraft details
• Scratch-built assemblies

If 0.5mm feels a little too flexible for your project, 0.75mm is often the next thickness to consider.

1mm Plasticard – Structural Modelling

Once you move into 1mm plasticard, you're getting into material that is suitable for more substantial structural parts.

Typical uses include:

• Bulkheads
• Floors
• Walls
• Larger panels
• Structural frames
• Bases
• Scratch-built buildings
• Larger scale model components

1mm plasticard is still practical to cut and shape, but it provides noticeably more rigidity than the thinner sheets.

1.5mm Plasticard – Heavy-Duty Construction

1.5mm plasticard is ideal when strength and rigidity are more important.

It can be used for:

• Structural parts
• Strong bulkheads
• Floors and bases
• Larger scratch-built models
• Heavy-duty frames
• Model supports
• Larger scale components

For smaller details, 1.5mm can look too thick, but for structural work it can be extremely useful.

2mm Plasticard – Strong Structures and Bases

At 2mm, you're working with a substantially thicker sheet that's particularly useful where rigidity is important.

Typical applications include:

• Model bases
• Heavy structural components
• Large bulkheads
• Strong frames
• Large scratch-built structures
• Reinforcement
• Larger scale models

Because it's thicker, 2mm plasticard requires more effort to cut than the thinner grades, so it's generally better suited to structural work rather than fine detail.

So Which Thickness Should I Buy?

Here's a quick guide:

Thickness	Good for
0.25mm	Fine details, overlays, panels and trim
0.5mm	General modelling, panels, bulkheads and modifications
0.75mm	Stronger panels and structural parts
1mm	Bulkheads, walls, floors and general structures
1.5mm	Heavy-duty structures, bases and supports
2mm	Strong structures, large bases and reinforcement

Still Not Sure?

If you're starting a scratch-building project and aren't sure what you'll need, having a selection of thicknesses available is often the best option.

A combination of 0.25mm, 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm and 2mm will cover a huge range of modelling jobs.

You can use the thinner sheets for surface detail and the thicker sheets where you need strength and rigidity.

A Tip From Delta Modelling Supplies

Don't feel that you have to build an entire model from one thickness of plasticard.

Good scratch building often involves using several thicknesses together. For example, you might use 1mm plasticard for a bulkhead, 0.5mm for panels and 0.25mm for the smaller surface details.

This gives you the strength where you need it while keeping smaller details in scale.

And if you're unsure, it's usually better to start with a slightly thinner sheet than one that's unnecessarily thick — you can always laminate two pieces together when you need additional strength.

Find the Right Plasticard for Your Project

At Delta Modelling Supplies, we stock a range of plasticard thicknesses for scratch building, scale modelling, modifications and general model making.

Whether you're adding a tiny detail to an existing kit or building an entire structure from scratch, choosing the right thickness makes the job much easier.

Not sure which thickness you need? Get in touch and we'll be happy to help.